The role of causal attributions in determining behavioral consequences: A meta-analysis from an intrapersonal attributional perspective in achievement contexts

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_320FF9A6B3AF
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The role of causal attributions in determining behavioral consequences: A meta-analysis from an intrapersonal attributional perspective in achievement contexts
Journal
Psychological Bulletin
Author(s)
Brun Laurent, Pansu Pascal, Dompnier Benoit
Publication state
Published
Issued date
03/12/2021
Volume
147
Number
7
Pages
701–718
Language
english
Abstract
A large body of research has documented Weiner’s theory as it applies to achievement contexts, highlighting the role of the causal dimensions (locus of causality, stability, and controllability) as antecedents of specific emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. The aim of this article is to address important, and as yet unanswered questions, by focusing on the relationship between these causal dimensions and their cognitive and behavioral consequences, and by meta-analyzing research using the direct-rating method to measure the causal dimensions identified by Weiner (1985, 2005). 43 studies using direct-rating measures of causal dimensions, reporting 57 correlation matrices involving 15,213 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Using meta-analytic structural equation modeling, the fit of the cognition-expectancy-action sequence of Weiner’s model, its structural parameters and between-sample variations were examined. Our model fitted the data well, and the structural parameters showed that the causal dimensions influenced behavioral adjustment and performance through psychological consequences. The results also revealed large effect size heterogeneity across studies, explained by several moderators such as event valence. To conclude, the results support the cognition-expectancy-action sequence proposed by Weiner’s attributional theory.
Keywords
attributions, meta-analysis, academic success, behavioral adjustment, causal dimensions
Create date
30/06/2021 9:13
Last modification date
09/12/2021 7:39
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